21Feb
Today marks Carman’s One Week Anniversary with his donated lungs. Eight days ago, he was still in bed asleep at 12:56 when the phone rang. Had it not been for that call, he would have stayed in bed until around 3pm before summoning the courage to get up. He would not feel refreshed from his sleep, in fact, he would still feel exhausted and just thinking about putting his feet to the floor would necessitate a rest before standing fully. That knowledge is what kept him in bed on days that we didn’t have appointments at the hospital.
Not today though...
03:00 - wake for pain meds
06:00 - wake for pain meds and last check before shift change
07:00 - scale arrives for weigh-in
08:00 - breakfast arrives
08:30 - vitals check and chart updating
09:00 - meds delivered and reviewed with nurse
09:30 - go for a walk
11:00 - time for another walk
12:15 - Transplant Team rounds
12:30 - lunch is delivered
13:30 - time for another walk
14:30 - sponge bath and change of loungewear
14:45 - Kyle arrived for a visit
14:50 - Jennifer arrived for a visit
15:00 - Danica arrives back with a chocolate milkshake
15:35 - shave followed by a short nap - his favourite Starbucks barista arrived from the atrium downstairs, just to say a quick hello and see how you were doing. We visited with him in the social room while you were napping. He says he has a free Grande waiting with your name on it when you’re ready.
16:30 - walk time
17:30 - supper arrives
19:00 - walk time
21:00 - meds arrive
21:30 - walk time
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| Post Walk O2 Sats Yippee! |
During rounds, Carman had a little chat with his transplant doctor regarding his morning meds and those of the night before - the cyclosporin arrived in liquid form. UGH! Carman has been on oral capsule doses since Saturday, and he says they taste like stink or maybe skunk, but in any case the liquid is even more foul than the capsule. Dr. B is a great doc and admits that last night may have been his fault for not changing the med order between floors. Carman convinces him that should the stuff arrive in liquid form for his next dose, he’ll be happy to share. Dr. B says he’ll be changing the order the minute he leaves the room! Smart man...
The other very exciting thing that’s happened in the last week, is the return of the appetite! I think your observation says it all...“food just tastes!”
Danica called this collection “The Affair with a Pear”
Last night was Games Night for the Breathless Buddies and our friends Kristy & Derek were in town visiting from Montreal, so were able to join us. The gang ordered pizza, had a table load of veggies & munchies along with some yummy cupcakes that Jennifer had made for them.
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| Wait...where did the chocolate ones go? |
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| Retta, Shilpa, & Laura in cupcake heaven! |
Ahem...and by the way, it was her first time playing!
Go Retta!!!
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| Retta, Shilpa, Sheila, Derek, Peter, Laura, Kristy, Pamela, Brad, Jess & Robert |
Carman and Pam -- I'm so freakin' happy for you both!!! And it's odd -- but it seems longer than a week to me... But maybe that's because my past 7 days have been rather crazy!
ReplyDeleteThese little milestones are wonderful things -- particularly when you're conscious and breathing when they happen!!!
And some of the drugs really smell putrid, or taste putrid - some of them change, and some of them we grow accustomed to... And I'm agreeing with Carman -- food can taste AMAZING!!! Sometimes I don't know if it's because we've just achieved this crazy getting-more-life thing and EVERY sense tends to amplify goodness... Or, if it's because breathing freely makes things easier - even tasting food...
You may also find that things taste different - some of the drugs really screw with taste sometimes (thankfully, not taste in women!) When you think about it - with all of the crazy drugs we're taking post transplant, it wouldn't be surprising if we seemed interested in taking a bite out of the quarter-panel of a car, or a bus tire... But, you may find things you've detested actually taste good -- or something you've LOVED, like a tall blonde, doesn't excite you anymore... For example, I've always detested Kale -- I personally think that Kale is God's packing material -- I've always disliked it and thought it was crap. It's not a very good example because I still feel that way, but I just saw this as an opportunity to vent my feelings about Kale. (My princess loves it...) (and don't start waxing poetic about "kale chips", that's just dried crap...)
So -- I'm proud of you Carman!!! Keep it up!!! Keep walking!!! Love, Steve
Thanks Steve - didn't you know Kale is good for you man!!! Trust the princess, she hasn't steered you wrong yet.
ReplyDeleteCarman stopped asking after awhile, he decided he really didn't want to know what was making his breakfast smoothie green, as long as it tasted good - lol. It worked too, maintained his weight within a 5lb variance over 10-1/2 months pre-transplant after he took a 40lb drop in 3 months.
I think it's the combination of being able to breath and eat at the same time, the fact that you can taste what you're eating and don't feel like you can't breath after you've eaten. All good things!
We are so grateful to our donor and family for this precious gift and are still in awe of how quickly life has changed for Carman. Pink = Life!!!
Hugs